Yes, it's that time again. The bizarro time when a stray remark by anybody, Edwards, Clinton (Hillary or Bill), Romney, McCain, Obama, et al suddenly dwarfs months of campaigning and policy statements. Did Bill Clinton mumble thoughts about his wife's campaign? Did Edwards fail to say something (congratulate Obama on Iowa) or say something wrong (about Hillary's "moment" yesterday)? Did Romney accuse McCain of promoting amnesty, or did he take it back - in the approved manner?

Add to that the depressing sight of low-information voters - often torn between voting for Obama or McCain (!) - and the general noise that is horse-race reporting, and it's enough to give up on democracy.